Grow Yourself Out of Your Problems

 Everyone has "problems."  For most, If it is not one thing, it is another.  If is not one thing, it is 10 other things.  We are faced with problems and challenges on a daily basis and it is how we choose to handle them that makes the difference.  

Have you ever met someone or studied someone or company that you see as successful and wondered, "How did they do it?  How did they overcome everything needed to create what they have done?"  Think about companies like Amazon or Tesla.  Think about all that they have had to do and overcome to become who they are and the forces that they are in the world.  Do you think they ran into problems?  You bet, and not just problems...big stinking, hairy, put you out of business ones, and pretty often at that along the way.

Most people get a problem and focus on just that, the problem.  They focus on the issue, the negative side. This shuts down the brain from acting and thinking creatively to not only solve, but see the true opportunity or other angles in overcoming the challenge.  

​The issue is never the size of the problem, its the size of the person who is tasked with solving it.  Let me explain what I mean.  As mentioned above, many people get problems and just shut down.  They are not equipped to handle them mentally and emotionally, so they shy away or don't fully solve or eliminate the problem.  Have you ever noticed that certain people have the same problems creep up over and over again in their lives?  Maybe, they are continuously passed up for a promotion or bounce from one bad relationship to the next and are always wondering why "this keeps happening to me."  

A lot of people in our society have been conditioned to play the "role of the victim."  Notice I said, "role of the victim."  I did not say they actually are victims.  The reason things keep happening to them is that they refuse to see their situation for what it is - the fact that they refuse to take responsibility and control of their lives.  And how can you truly solve a problem if you refuse to take responsibility and control for yourself?  You cannot own and solve the problem unless you take ownership.

You cannot own and solve the problem unless you take ownership

The secret to solving problems is to learn to grow yourself bigger than your problems.  The bigger the problems you are able to handle, the bigger you can grow.  Think about it, if your mind is set to handle a Level 2 problem and you get a Level 3 problem, you are in trouble.  But, if you are prepared for and able to handle a Level 5 problem and you get a Level 3 problem, it is no big deal.

So, the question is, "How do you grow yourself bigger than your problems?"  Here are six ways to overcome any problem.

Take Control and Responsibility

First, you must resolve to take control and responsibility for your life and thus your problems.  If you aren't willing to do this, then you will not change.  Think of your life as driving a car.  You are in control when driving a car and where you steer it, it will go.  If you decide to take your hands off the wheel and "hope" the car will drive itself and keep you safe, well, you know what will happen.  Take charge and responsibility for your life and your actions.

Understand Your Current Limitations and Make the Choice to Break Through Them

We all have perceived limitations.  Barriers in our minds that keep us from moving to higher levels.  It is critical that you self-reflect and isolate these barriers and some very important questions, "Do I choose to keep this limitation?  Do I actually  believe that I set this limitation for myself and choose to keep it?" Chances are on most anything, you would say no, because you know deep down that you can overcome it. Isolate the limitation and choose to keep it or not. 

Recognize the Source of Consistent Problems and Change it or Remove it

Along with isolating and changing your limitation, you must also reflect on the sources of any problems that consistently happen and recur in your life and eliminate them if possible.  For example, if you are consistently late for things in your life; recognize it, take responsibility, and make the change necessary to stop being late.  This may be as simple as setting a reminder 30 mins before meetings in your phone to get going "so you won't be late."  Whatever the source of recurring problems, remove it or change it by changing the habits you have around it.
 
Ask How

Ask yourself how you should or can overcome this and get a better result that makes you stronger.  When you ask your mind "How?" it activates the creative side of the brain.  It starts the wheels turning and problem solving in motion.  In contrast, if you say things like "It cannot be done," or "I can't do that." then it stops right there.  Your brain goes no further.  It shuts down.  Ask yourself how you can overcome your problem or issue and you will find that you will come up with multiple ways to do so.

Ask for Help

Don't be afraid to ask for help.  There are areas of your life in which you are more talented than others and when you find you have problems that you don't have the right skillset to solve, but are willing to ask "how," you can then seek out someone who does to help you.  There is nothing wrong with asking for help.  It does not reflect poorly on you.  In fact, it shows how strong you are that you are comfortable enough that you can admit when you need help.  Amazon, Tesla , and all the other successes that you may look up to not only ask for help, but they seek out the right resources, partners, and help everywhere they can to compliment their strengths and get ahead.

Be Willing to Work - Hard and Smart

A lot of people work really, really hard, but sadly don't have much to show for it.  It is not enough to just work hard; you have to work smart as well.  This means focusing on and doing the things you know you should do and don't.  Those that grow themselves out of their problems are willing to not only work hard, but innovate and do it in a smart way that takes them to another level and gives them more opportunity. It starts will the little things.  Those little extra things we know we need to do, but just don't.  For example, from above - taking the 2 mins to set reminders in your calendar on your phone to stop being late.  It is a small, mundane thing, but it makes a huge difference.  Work hard, but to take the time to work smart and set yourself up to succeed.

Your ability to grow yourself bigger than your problems and your ability to handle larger and bigger problems in your life will directly correlate to your success.  Take the time to develop the skills and habits to do this and you will find opportunity all around you.  It is one of the most empowering abilities to foster in your journey to success.